When it comes to the ups and downs of ski season, Cuvée has you covered, from bespoke in-villa fittings for the tried and true to big plans for the littlest travelers. Because downhill skiing is more than a sport: With proper guidance, it can become a multi-generational family tradition, and children have the advantage of being naturally flexible and relatively fearless when it comes to learning. So let us arrange for certified instructors to inspire confidence and set your children on the path to a lifelong passion. Below, our favorites for little skiers of all ages.
Aspen
The pros here not only provide skill-building lessons, but instill respect for the seven rules of the Ski Responsibility Code, as well as appreciation for the preservation of the mountain environment.
Ski Lessons | Age 13 – 17
Lessons geared for abilities as well as personality take your teens on a wide range of terrains, from easy to accelerated runs with just enough challenge. Buttermilk’s S3 Park includes roughly 20 beginner trails and low intermediate skill features, and the Terrain Parks, annually in the top 10 of Snowboarder Magazine’s “Park Poll”, are specifically built as a learning zone, including Lowdown Park’s beginner halfpipe.
But the best learning experience may be the daily NASTAR—or National Standard Race—the largest recreational ski and snowboard racing program in the world. Developed in 1968 by SKI magazine, a handicap system allows skiers of all ages and abilities to compare themselves with their friends, family members and the U.S. Ski Team regardless of when and where they race. It’s a chance for the whole family to join in this fun-loving community where the stakes are low and the rewards are high.
Mountain Explorers | Ages 7 – 12
The Mountain Explorers camp is a unique way to experience all four regional mountains while enjoying the camaraderie of new friends in a small group atmosphere, designated by skills for even the smallest learners. Over the five-day camp, your children will explore new terrain, learn sports safety, and come to appreciate the natural beauty of the environment under the adventurous but careful guidance of our coaches, eager to share their love for outdoor life.
Kid Friendly Restaurants
Snowmass: Eat on the mountaintop in classic American diner style at Ullrhof, where burgers, hand cut fries and shakes co-exist with salads, soups, and a special mac and cheese of the day. Look for the Kid’s Combo symbol and opt for a side of hummus with veggies or applesauce.
Buttermilk: Enjoy the family-style fast casual cooking at Bumps, sitting on the expansive deck in full view of the Superpipe. At 560 feet long and 322 feet tall, it’s one of the world’s largest channels, recut daily with a Zaugg Pipe Monster, created specifically for building half pipes.
Kid Friendly Experiences
Take some time to yourselves and leave the rest to us. We have a way of making children feel comfortable and happy, whether it’s making pizzas and decorating cookies, or just sharing dinner and a movie. We’re dedicated to showing them a special time.
Vail
Ski Lessons | Ages 3 – 15
Led by top pros, classes are based on age, ability, and interest to promote confidence and build skills in skiing and snowboarding. Your children will learn the ropes and the routes that lead them to the best vacation they’ve ever had.
Adventure Camp | Ages 7 – 14
At this ultimate 5-day mountain adventure using different terrains to advance skills, our instructors guide their classes from bumps to Vail’s legendary back Bowls, comprising more skiable acres than most entire North American ski resorts. The children, grouped by ability, will experience epic days of awesome views and incredible snow.
Kid Friendly Restaurants
Located at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, Bistro Fourteen features casual sit-down dining with a separate children’s menu and gluten-free options on request. A cafeteria-style neighbor to Bistro Fourteen, Eagle’s Nest has all the building blocks for a family-friendly meal: pasta dishes and salads to soups and burgers.
Kid Friendly Experiences
Whether day or night, a sleigh ride is always like magic: Gliding across the snow with your hands wrapped around a cup of host chocolate and your face turned up to the beautiful expansive of sky above.
Beaver Creek
Ski Lessons | Ages 3 – 16
With a guarantee that your children will learn to ski or ride after three days or the fourth is free, the instructors at this renown school for young adventurers go out of their way to educate and encourage with programs for all ability levels
To help families explore new terrain together, Beaver Creek is expanding snowmaking capabilities at the Red Buffalo Learning Park, expected to have top-to-bottom skiing for the 2019-2020 season. As the ultimate on-mountain skiing experience for beginner and intermediate skiers, there’s an Adventure Zone, where children can ski through covered-wagon ramps and real teepees, and a Cookie Cabin, so you can stop by for fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa throughout the day.
Kid Friendly Restaurants
Mamie’s Mountain Grill is a casual, comfy spot with grill-your-own burger options, all beef hotdogs in warm pretzel rolls, and a fantastic view of Mc Coy Park Nordic Center, 32 kilometers of multi-use trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
It’s all kids, all the time at The Ranch, a healthy-fuel lunch spot exclusively for children enrolled in Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard School.
Kid Friendly Experiences
Don’t just capture where you actually are, capture who you really are with our special family photo session designed to chronicle the very best moments of your Cuvée stay in your very own way.